A Nevada business owner was recently arrested for allegedly grooming and attempting to meet a person whom he believed was an underage boy.
Michael Wiezorek, 52, initially messaged a Manchester police officer posing as a 15-year-old.
Wiezorek allegedly groomed and sent explicit messages to the officer over the next couple of months before asking to meet in person. Manchester Police Department staged a meeting on Monday, Jan. 5, where Wiezorek was arrested.
Wiezorek has been charged with grooming, according to court documents. He posted bond on Monday.
Wiezorek’s arrest is part of Manchester Police’s broader undercover operation targeting online predators. Four other arrests have led to grooming charges, which the department said are being handled by outside agencies.
Wiezorek was the former owner of Cutting Edge Painting in Nevada. Ownership was transferred to Lanny Feight following his arrest, the Ames Tribune confirmed. Wiezorek oversaw a staff of more than 30 employees, according to the company’s directory.
“We were blindsided by the concerning news and can share that Mike is stepping down and selling his interest in the company,” Feight told the Tribune. “We are grateful for the support of our loyal clients and community partners over the years.”
Nevada man communicated online with undercover police officer for months
On Nov. 30, an undercover Manchester police officer posing as a 15-year-old boy on the gay dating application Grindr was messaged by Wiezorek, who was allegedly using the screen name of “Mike.”
According to court documents, the officer told him he was going to delete Grindr and gave him a fictitious number. A few minutes later, he received a text message from a man identified as “Mike.”
According to court documents, “Mike” asked, “Can I ask how old you are? You look really young. Which is what I like.” The officer replied he was 15 about to be 16 and asked how old “Mike,” who replied he was 52. For the rest of the month, he messaged the officer with “small talk” and ask what he was wearing at the time or what he was doing.
Manchester Police stage meet up to nab Wiezorek
On Jan. 2, “Mike” told the undercover officer that he wanted to meet up on Jan. 5 and maybe go somewhere “private,” according court documents.
Wiezorek allegedly asked if he should get a hotel room “right off Highway 20.” The officer texted that he was on a walk on the trail in a city park if that’s where “Mike” wanted to pick him up.
Manchester police officers and Delaware County Sheriff’s Office patrol cars were staged at Schram City Park. At 2:43 p.m., “Mike” allegedly texted the officer that he was driving a white truck and “pulling a little gray trailer.”
Wiezorek was stopped by officers 30 minutes after the last text and placed under arrest. His phone and iPad were seized, and he was transported to the Delaware County Jail and charged with grooming.
The Manchester Police Department, in a press release on Jan. 6, said it plans to make additional arrests during “Operation Castle.”
“Officers are still evaluating cases and working towards more arrests,” the release said.
Celia Brocker is a government, crime, political and education reporter for the Ames Tribune. She can be reached at CBrocker@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Police arrest Nevada business owner in Manchester grooming operation
Reporting by Celia Brocker, Ames Tribune / Ames Tribune
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